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Murky digital future

Vessislava Antonova, Capital — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:52:00 +0200

The switch to digital television broadcasting in Bulgaria cannot progress before a transition plan is approved

Tight circle

Kalina Goranova, Capital — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:43:00 +0200

Bulgarian Government doing its best to drive strategic investors away from BDZ Cargo privatisation

CVM update urges Romania to continue judiciary reform

The Sofia Echo staff — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:40:00 +0200

Interirm report praised Romania for continuing to pursue high-profile corruption cases and new legislation, but urged more action on reforming the judicial system and the confiscation of assets acquired through illegal means.

‘Stronger action’ needed by Bulgaria to implement EC recommendations against crime, corruption

The Sofia Echo staff — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:17:00 +0200

February 8 EC report notes a number of developments in Bulgaria’s progress in judicial reform, the fight against corruption and organised crime, but points to need for stronger action in a number of areas.

Italy, Poland among first EU states to offer Bulgaria aid in coping with flood disaster

The Sofia Echo staff — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:27:00 +0200

European Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva says that it is ‘impressive’ that the support offered comes at a time when Italy and Poland themselves as struggling with the effects of the severe winter.

Raiffeisen Real Estate: Prices of Sofia homes returned to 2007 levels

The Sofia Echo staff — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:33:00 +0200

Average market prices of homes in Sofia fell by one per cent in the fourth quarter of 2011 compared to the same period of 2010, according to the Raiffeisen Real Estate Index, as quoted by Klasa daily.

Cold spell should ease its grip on Europe next week, World Meteorological Organisation says

The Sofia Echo staff — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:16:00 +0200

The current ‘negative Arctic Oscillation’ – a weather phenomenon which leads to cold conditions in Europe and relatively warmer conditions in the Arctic – should shift into a more neutral pattern within the next two to three weeks.

New states of emergency declared in places in Bulgaria amid winter weather crisis

The Sofia Echo staff — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:02:00 +0200

Bulgaria has requested assistance through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. European Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva said that Bulgaria would most probably receive European aid but that it was also true that most of Europe was suffering from severe weather.

Turkey debates its role in possible Syria intervention

Dorian Jones, VOANews — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:21:00 +0200

Turkey hardens stance against Syria, its Western allies increasingly looking to Ankara for help to unseat Assad

Cold snap hits Europe; thaw a threat

VOANews — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:09:00 +0200

The extreme cold has been blamed for almost 400 deaths across Europe. In Ukraine, where temperatures have fallen below minus 30 degrees Celsius, the cold is blamed for at least 122 deaths. Many of the victims were homeless.

Winter weather crisis: Bulgaria closes all schools for three days

The Sofia Echo staff — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:24:00 +0200

Education Minister decrees that from February 8 to 10 inclusive, all schools in Bulgaria will be closed.

Bulgarian telecom firm offers compensation after network disruption

The Sofia Echo staff — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:05:00 +0200

Services at several banks in Bulgaria were disrupted because of the network disruption which lasted several hours on February 6 2012.

Situation on Danube ‘critical’ because of large ice drifts

The Sofia Echo staff — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:31:00 +0200

In the Bulgarian stretch of the river, ice cover was reported on February 7 to have reached 80 per cent.

Bulgarian Red Cross, mobile operators, BNT start fund-raising to help people hit by floods

The Sofia Echo staff — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:03:00 +0200

February 8 is a national day of mourning for flood victims in the village of Bisser in Bulgaria’s Haskovo Region.

Avalanche danger in Bulgaria’s mountains amid winter weather crisis: Updated

The Sofia Echo staff — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:00:00 +0200

Mountain Rescue urges skiers and snowboarders not to stray from the official pistes.

Polish PM, digitalisation minister hold public debates on ACTA ratification

The Warsaw Voice — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:40:00 +0200

PM Donald Tusk invited authors, NGOs, experts and bloggers to a debate on the ACTA copyright agreement, but several key organisations, including the Helsinki Foundation, rejected the invitation claiming that the talks will likely offer no opportunity to discuss concrete issues.

Protesters clash in Budapest as controversial theatre director takes stage

Attila Leitner, The Budapest Times — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:32:00 +0200

'Dirty Jews' and 'Dirty Nazis' were the most popular chants when two groups clashed in front of Új Színház (New Theatre)

Woman killed by icicles in Belgrade as Balkans grapples with fatal cold snap

The Sofia Echo staff — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:08:00 +0200

Weather warnings throughout South Eastern Europe; Romania extends ‘Code Orange’, intense snowfalls in Macedonia, deaths in Greece and heavy snow, frost and icy conditions forecast for Turkey.

New Romanian PM begins forming government

VOANews — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:05:00 +0200

Ungureanu was previously head of Romania's foreign intelligence service; he has also served as foreign minister between December 2004 and March 2007.

Further flooding in southern Bulgaria as another dike breaks

The Sofia Echo staff — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:51:00 +0200

Huge wave headed for the village of Generalovo after Maritsa River burst its banks. Freight lorry movement banned throughout Bulgaria and people asked not to travel. Bulgaria to declare a day of mourning and could approach EU for financial help.